New Mexico Patent of the Month – February 2025
Nature’s Toolbox, Inc. (NTx) has pioneered a groundbreaking leap in synthetic biology with the development of a robust, cell-free protein expression system that solves one of the field’s most persistent challenges: sustainable energy regeneration. At the core of this innovation is a dual-enzyme ATP regeneration system utilizing thermostable versions of Adenosyl Kinase (AdK) and Polyphosphate Kinase (PPK). Working in synergy, these enzymes convert inexpensive, stable precursors—AMP and inorganic polyphosphate—into ATP, the vital energy currency driving macromolecule synthesis. This approach eliminates reliance on unstable, short-lived energy donors like phosphoenolpyruvate or creatine phosphate, slashing costs and extending reaction lifespans.
NTx’s system reimagines protein synthesis, enabling longer reaction times and higher yields without toxic byproducts like pyruvate. The addition of thermostable enzymes and a highly efficient ATP regeneration loop creates a self-sustaining environment ideal for producing even complex or traditionally “unexpressible” proteins. Coupled with thermostable RNA polymerases and optimized tRNA systems, this platform opens new possibilities in rapid prototyping, vaccine development, and therapeutic manufacturing—especially where conventional in vivo systems fail.
This innovation doesn’t just improve efficiency—it redefines what’s possible. By engineering a tightly integrated system from purified, modular components, NTx has delivered a reliable, scalable, and energy-efficient solution for next-gen biomanufacturing. Whether it’s creating life-saving biologics or powering diagnostic assays, this invention sets a new standard for in vitro expression technology.
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